Bill Gates, known for his strict rules regarding technology usage within his family, recently revealed in an interview that his children were not allowed to have their own mobile phones until they reached the age of 14.

The billionaire philanthropist expressed concerns about maintaining healthy sleep patterns and setting boundaries, such as prohibiting cellphone usage during meal times, except for educational purposes such as homework.

Even though Gates’ children are now aged 20, 17, and 14, ages where owning a phone is common, he continues to enforce a household ban on Apple products, stemming from his historical rivalry with the late Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder.

While some may perceive Gates’ approach as stringent, delaying smartphone ownership for children may have its advantages. According to a 2016 report titled “Kids & Tech: The Evolution of Today’s Digital Natives,” the average age for a child’s first smartphone is now 10.3 years old, with experts predicting this age may decrease further.

James P. Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media, shares Gates’ viewpoint, opting to provide phones to his children only upon entering high school and demonstrating responsibility. He emphasizes the importance of maturity over age.

PBS Parents offers advice for parents contemplating giving their child their first phone, emphasizing considerations such as the child’s independence, responsibility, and understanding of boundaries and consequences.